IMMACULATA, Pa. – Immaculata men's lacrosse used a strong fourth quarter to power past the Albright College Lions on Wednesday afternoon. Carnell Lofton Jr. etched his name in the Immaculata record books in single-game face-offs won and ground balls.

The Mighty Macs are 8-3 for the season. Their first AEC game will be on Friday, March 27 versus Marymount.

HOW IT HAPPENED AGAINST ALBRIGHT

• Although the Lions were first to find the net, Immaculata countered on the next two goals within a one-minute span. John Stelacio and Matthew Frame each scored, assisted by Ryan Gorman and Jason Smaron, respectively. Lofton Jr. provided plenty of offensive opportunities early on with face-off wins. Both defenses would force turnovers in the quarter, but Albright converted on a goal after a successful clear. Matthew Ludlow made consecutive saves in the waning moments with the score tied 2-2 after one.
• Albright broke the tie just 24 seconds into the second frame. Similar to the first quarter, Immaculata picked up the next two goals. Smaron and Frame got past the goalie, with Aaron Headley helping out on Smaron's shot. The two sides traded scores right before halftime, with Headley converting a Stelacio dime. Lofton Jr. won another face-off as time expired. The Mighty Macs led 5-4 at the half.
• An Immaculata turnover to start the third was costly, as Albright tied the score. Although the Mighty Macs caused havoc on the defensive end throughout the quarter, Albright took the lead with three minutes to go. Ludlow kept the Mighty Macs in the game with a pair of saves. The Lions led 6-5 through three.
• The fourth quarter was all Immaculata for the offense. Three goals were scored in a 2:40 span. Smaron from Gorman was first, followed by Frame from Headley and Gorman from Smaron, the last of which was on a man-up situation. The two teams traded attacks to keep the Albright deficit to two. Senatore got on the board on a man-up scenario on a Jude Azzarano dime, while Smaron connected again, this time from Stelacio. The Mighty Macs sealed the game with a Daniel Alvarez ground ball off a blocked Albright shot. This transitioned into an Azzarano goal on a Smaron assist. Immaculata won 11-8.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Smaron and Frame each led with three goals.
• Smaron had three assists.
• Ludlow caused four defensive turnovers.
• Lofton Jr. was everywhere on face-offs with 21 wins in 22 attempts and 19 ground balls, both of which were Immaculata men's lacrosse single-game records.

UP NEXT
The Mighty Macs host the Marymount University Saints on Friday, March 27 at 6 p.m.